Jim%20Piascik Archive

The question of why Asdrubal Cabrera is still hitting cleanup is a hot one amongst Cleveland fans. Batting in that spot would have been a perfectly good one two years ago when the shortstop hit 25 home runs, or even last year when Cabrera's home runs dipped to 16 but his wRC+ stayed solid at 113. This year, however, Cabrera looks more like a replacement-level player than an All-Star. What happened, you ask? As Jim Piascik explains, Cabrera's plate discipline has just disappeared.

Both Daisuke Matsuzaka and Bryson Myles missed the entire month of May as injuries took their toll on the pair's effectiveness. Now that both are healthy, Matsuzaka and Myles are performing well and making waves and Thursday night was no different. To find out all about Matsuzaka and Myles' nights and everything you need to know about Thursday in the minor leagues, join Jim Piascik as he takes you Around The Farm.

After yet another depressing loss at the major league level, why not take some time to focus on the happiness and promise of the minor leagues? Why not bask in the insane success of Trevor Frank in the Mahoning Valley bullpen or the way that a finally healthy Alex Monsalve is producing at Akron? Leave all your Tiger trouble behind and join Jim Piascik as he recaps all you need to know about Wednesday night in the minor leagues and goes Around The Farm.

The Akron Aeros won on Saturday and Sunday, but it was not enough to undo their four-game losing streak to start the week. Losing four of six games dropped the Aeros to a 55-59 record, 5.5 games behind the Harrisburg Senators for first place in the Western Division and five games behind the Erie SeaWolves for the wild card. To find out what it means for the Aeros' playoff chances, join Jim Piascik and go Launching off with the Aeros.

So often, the difference between a prospect developing into a major leaguer or busting out in the minors is health. Some players are just unlucky with their bodies and see their careers end while others manage to stay on the field and make something happen. Bryson Myles is turning heads now that he is healthy and he continued to do so Thursday night. To read about Myles and everything else you need to know about the minor leagues, join Jim Piascik and go Around The Farm.

The New Britain Rock Cats powered their way past the Akron Aeros Thursday afternoon, riding four home runs to a 9-5 victory at Willow Brook Park. The loss finished a New Britain sweep and is Akron's fourth in a row.

Early on in the season, it looked like Jesus Aguilar was stuck. His power seemed to have deserted him, leaving him behind the eight-ball going forward. Fast-forward a few months and everything seems okay again with the first baseman. To read about how an adjustment made all the difference for Aguilar and find out everything you need to know about the night in the minor leagues, join Jim Piascik and go Around The Farm.

The Akron Aeros got some decent pitching over the past week, though a rough performance from the offense sent them on their way to a losing record. The Aeros lost four of their six games, dropping their record to 53-55. Akron is in fourth place in the Western Division, 5.5 games out of first place and five games out of the wild card. To find out all you need to know from the past week, join Jim Piascik and go Launching off with the Aeros.

Akron Aeros starter Paolo Espino rebounded into form Sunday after struggling mightily in his last two starts. Unfortunately for Espino and the Aeros, the Richmond Flying Squirrels and Edwin Escobar were even better. The Aeros (53-55) fell to the Flying Squirrels (50-58) 2-0 Sunday afternoon at Canal Park as they split the four-game homestand with Richmond.

We all know Francisco Lindor is an elite player, but watching his video game numbers pile up upon his promotion to Double-A is an entirely new level of dominance. Lindor did show his human side a little bit Thursday -- striking out for the first time -- but he more than made up for it in power. To read about Lindor's night, a Mahoning Valley infielder showing he can hit, and much more, join Jim Piascik as he takes you Around The Farm.

Wednesday night was a good night in the organization, and not just because the major league club won. See, Wednesday night was #WashTime, as the outfielder made his presence known in Arizona. In addition to #WashTime, the organization also had some Tyler Naquin, a little Eric Haase, and much more. To read all about the night in the minor leagues, join Jim Piascik as he takes you Around The Farm.

Before heading out on their road trip last week, Akron Aeros manager Edwin Rodriguez noted the dire position the team's 47-50 record left it in as the season starts winding down. His team responded, as the Aeros got back to .500 over the past week and put themselves firmly in the playoff race. To read about Akron's winning ways, top prospect Francisco Lindor's red-hot debut, and much more, join Jim Piascik and go Launching off with the Aeros.

The Cleveland organization got homer-happy Thursday night, as Lake County led the way with four home runs on their own. None of those shots could overshadow what happened with Carolina, however, as the team hit their first walk-off home run of the season. To find out walked off for the Mudcats and everything else you need to know about the night in the minor leagues, join Jim Piascik and go Around The Farm.

Well not that Colon, obviously. While Tony is off having fun on vacation, Jim Piascik fills in, analyzing High-A Carolina right-hander Joseph Colon's return from injury and his development, admires and breaks down the progress Double-A outfielder Carlos Moncrief has made in 2013, checks in with Aeros manager Edwin Rodriguez on how a dozen of his players are doing and what changes they are making, and provides insight and information on the likes of Alex Monsalve, Bryson Myles, Dorssys Paulino, Nellie Rodriguez, D'Vone McClure, and more!

Nellie Rodriguez struggled at Lake County early in the season, making it was clear that the organization pushed the first baseman too quickly. After he was moved down to Mahoning Valley, Rodriguez looked better and started to produce, not that anyone could have seen Wednesday night coming. Rodriguez turned in a career performance, and to read all about it and the rest of the action from the minor leagues, join Jim Piascik and go Around The Farm.

The Akron Aeros stumbled a little bit coming out of the Eastern League All-Star break, dropping three of their five games over the past week. The team got a shot in the arm, however, with the news that top prospect Francisco Lindor is joining the team starting tonight. Jim Piascik brings you quotes from Lindor's press conference earlier today, as well as recapping the rest of the week in Launching off with the Aeros.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!